Eco Friendly Cleaning Products That Work
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s the power off a good clean. But with many of our usual products proving to be as bad for us as smoking, its time we wise up about the products we choose to use in our home.
Which begs the questions, what should we be avoiding and what should we be looking for when it comes to our house hold cleaning products? There are two main areas we need to consider. Toxic chemicals and packaging.
Toxic Chemicals
Look out for chemicals such as phosphorous, nitrogen, synthetic fragrances, dyes, chlorine and ammonia.
When you use these chemicals in your toilets, sinks, dishwashers, or other appliances, they are rinsed down the drain. This water then heads to waste water treatment facilities, where the majority of toxic contaminants are removed before the water makes its way back to rivers and lakes… but not all them.
These substances which can be deadly for our sealife and greater eco system, can also come back to bite us humans. In fact the lasted scientific research has shown that regular use of house hold cleaning products is comparable to smoking 20 cigarettes a day over a 20 year period. They have also been shown to aggravated sensitive skin and those with allergies . Instead look for cleaning products with words like ‘biodegradable’, ‘ECO-certified’, and ‘plant-based’.
Packaging
The majority of cleaning products come in unrecylable plastic containers that are chucked after use and we all know what that means for our planet.
Before purchasing any product its best to check if they are entirely recyclable or biodegradable. Also consider alternative options like refills; Whether that’s purchasing a refill pack in your local supermarket or taking an old cleaning container and refilling at a refill station. And finally remember, before putting any product in the recycling, ensure it is washed out properly or it could end up diverting an entire load of recycling to the landfill thanks to the risk of contamination.
To ensure your cleaning products are as friendly on our planet as our homes, we spent the first lock down searching out and testing out some of the best eco friendly cleaning products on the market. Here are some of our favourite.
KINN
Kind eco friendly washing up liquid is gentle on your hands, but tough on grease to leave dishes spotless and your glasses sparkling. Available in two different scent, Sweet Orange, or Lavender & Rosemary., there is no need to worry about any nasty synthetic fragrance as all of our products are scented using real essential oils.
Made in the UK, Kinn products are free from petrochemicals, phosphates, enzymes, synthetic fragrance, animal by-product, harsh chemicals, dye, and are not tested on animals.
COLT & WILLOW
With a vibrant pink grapefruit Colt & Willows plant based Wonder Scrub is a multi purpose bicarbonate soda scrub will power through extra tough grease and dirt and rejuvenate whatever it touches. Think really tough tea stains in a stainless steel sink, limescale on your taps or that dirt ring around your bath – we won’t judge – really good on oven doors, Aga tops or the limescale around on the outside of a stainless steel kettle. Available in a refillable long-life glass bottle, Wonder Scrub is free of harsh detergents, phosphates, Parabens and SLS, vegan and biodegrade.
FAITH IN NATURE
Super Concentrated Laundry Liquid 5L £25.99 and Pump Dispenser £4.75
Don’t have time to go to a refill store, no worries. Fatih in Natures 5L Laundry Liquid and pump dispenser means you can refill at at home. A super concentrated bulk buy laundry liquid, with biodegradable, plant-derived ingredients, it is kind on sensitive skin while gently cleaning your clothes, even at lower temperatures. Formulated with aloe vera and rosemary oil, this non-biological laundry liquid contains no enzymes, parabens, phosphates or bleaches and is vegan and cruelty-free
Also available as a washing up liquid, hand wash, body wash, shampoo and conditioner.
DR BRONNERS
Sal Suds Biodagradable Cleaner from £10.99
Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds Liquid Cleaner has become an eco cleaning staple. Not a soap but instead is a concentrated hard-surface all-purpose cleaner perfect for general household cleaning (dishes, floors, laundry, etc.). Gentle on skin, this 100% cruelty free cleaner is made with plant-based surfactants and natural fir needle and spruce essential oils, without any nasty synthetic dyes, fragrances or preservatives.
NIMBLE
Sticky Stopper £2.99
Proven to kill 99 per cent of germs, sticky stopper is a planet-based cleaning product created for parents, designed with little ones in mind. Ideal for wiping down play mats, high chairs and disinfecting of toys, we love to pop it in our changing bag for any emergency cleaning situations while no the go.
Featuring coconut-based surfactants and a natural disinfectant, you can feel confident about keeping germs at bay without the added worry of harsh chemicals. .
STEAMERY
Rose & Musk Delicate Wash £16 @ The White Company
This mild detergent is specially made to effectively clean and nourish delicate materials, such as wool and silk. The natural ingredients lanolin and silk oil rehydrate the fibres in any type of natural material and prolongs their lifespan. Lightly scented with the dreamy notes of wild rose and musk, this delicate wash will help care your clothes so they can be loved for years.
ASHLEY & CO
It may be on of the most expensive cleaners on the list but on whiff Shaley & Co’s Bench Press Surface Cleaner and you’ll understand way. A naturally astringent counter top companion and all-rounder surface spray, this fragrant spray is a biodegradable blend bolstered with essential oils like citrus, clove bud and cinnamon bark. Effective without the use of harsh ingredients, Benchpress is gentle on skin and leaves surfaces spotless and fresh.
It’s not all about washes and sprays, gadgets can play major role in keeping your home toxic free too. And topping the list has to be Shark’s Anti Hair Wrap Upright Vacuum Cleaner Plus with Powered Lift-Away and TruePet.
Perfect for homes with pets, this versatile upright is packed with game-changing features, including two revolutionary technologies in one floorhead. Gliding from carpets to hard floors, the large DuoClean floorhead is enhanced with Anti Hair Wrap Technology, actively removing hair from the brush-roll so you don't have to. If that’s not enough the Shark Anti Hair Wrap transforms into a portable vacuum so you can easily clean stairs and under hard to reach furniture.
Ok we know, it’s not a desirable as a nights stay at a luxury hotel. But investing a decent vacuum clean will save you money in the long term and help prevent the need for use of toxic chemicals, resulting in a cleaner, safer, chemical free home, that is kinder to you and the planet.
OCEAN SAVERS
Taking the idea of the refill one stage further, OceanSaver’s produce planet-based cleaning pods (made from 100 per cent biodegradable material) which will dissolve into 750ml of warm water to create your own natural, eco-friendly cleaning solution. Simply pop a pod into one of your old empty bottle or purchase a “bottle for life” from OceanSaver directly, which is 100 per cent recyclable. Proven to kill 99.9% of bacteria , Anti-bac eco drop ocean mist and even has the Good Housekeeping tick of approval.
ECOVER
Power Toilet Cleaner £2.50
One of the eco cleaning product pioneers, Ecover delivers both on it’s environmental credentials and cost. Opting for renewable plant-based ingredients, their toilet cleaner is really effective. With a pleasant citrus scent, it is tough on limescale and proven to remove it 10 times faster than Ecover’s regular toilet cleaning solution. While the company is moving towards 100 per cent recyclable bottles this year.
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